Binder



Nov. 8, 1927.

E. L. KRAG BINDER Filed Sept. 25, 1924 Patented Nov. 8, 19 27.

"ERIK n knee, or cnicAGlo', rnrrnois BINDER; v

Application filed September 25 1 9 24. Serial No. 729,820.

This invention relatesto binders and has for its object providingsuitable means for or the cover attached thereto; Fig. 2 is aplan view01 the same; Fig. 3 is a materlally enlarged sectional view along theline 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line H of Fig.3; Fig. 5 is a reduced end view of the binder with the cover attached;and Fig. 6 is a reduced plan view of a sheet such as may be found in thebinden The binder comprises a pair of telescoping casings 5 and 6,which, when mounted together have one side open for receiving the sheetsl which are to be bound together. Rods 7 are fixed to one side of one ofthe casings 5 and these are arranged to telescope with tubes 8 TXed inthe other casing. These rods and tubes not only form guides forassisting in sliding the casings towards and away from each other, butalso provide posts for receiving the slotted open ends of the sheets. Itbeing understood that sheets of 35. paper having the ordinary type ofslotted openings 8 are intended to be used with the binder so that thesheets may be inserted or removed by merely releasing the coIn-.v

pression of the binder and without moving the rods 7 from the tubes 8.Springs .9 are inserted in the tubes 8 for resiliently holding thecasings apart. Slots 2 are formed in the central portion of the ends ofthe sheets into which the controlling casing 10 passes when the sheetsare inserted.

The controlling casing 10 comprising a U- shaped casing 11 and acorresponding telescoping U-shaped casing 12; the open sides of thesecasings being fixed respectively to the casings 5 and 6 in any suitablemanner, such as by electric welding. lVithin the casing 11 is arotatably mounted rod'13 which has formed on one side a ratchet tooth14c and which is adapted to be rotated by means of a plate 15, the rodbeing journaled in the wall 16 of the casing 5 by means of theprojecting pin 17, which is non-rotatably fixed to the plate 15. Aflange 18 is formed on the plate 15 to; assist in manipulating the plateand rotating the rod 13. Pivotedin the casing 12 is a pawl 20 which hasa -tooth 21 at its outer end adapted-to co-act withtne teeth 14;! ofthe. ratchet, and a spring 22 resil-l-ently holds the tooth 21againstthe teeth.

of. the iratchet... Hence as the two casings 5 and 6, and hence thecasings 11 and 12, are

pushed together the pawl 20 will prevent separation thereof. By therotation of the rod 13, however, by means of the lug 18, through anangle of substantially 90 degrees, the teeth 14 will be thrown out ofcoaction with the tooth 21 and the casings will then be free toseparate. But to prevent entire separation 01 these casings a tooth 23is formed at the inner end of the rod 13 whichacts as a stop co-actingwith the tooth 21 to prevent further separation of the casings.

From this it'w-ill be seen that the casings 5 and 6 may be freely pushedtogether until the sheets of paper inserted therein will'be firmlypressed together and the pawl 20 will prevent separation; but if it isdesired to release thecompression on the sheets it is.

necessary only to rotate the rod 13 until the teeth 1 1 no longer co-actwith the tooth 21. The casings .then may be separated as much as may bedesired and the rod may be rotated back to its normal position andfurther separations of the casings will be prevented.

Or if the rod 13 is not rotated back the stop 23 will prevent entireseparation of the casings and hence the falling out of the sheets ofpaper.

It will be understood that any form of cover may be fixed to thisbinding device in any suitable manner. In Fig. 5 I have illustrated acover 25 which may be used. But

as the cover is no part of my invention it is thought unnecessary todescribe the same in detail; particularly as. somewhat similar bindingdevices are common and it is well understood how the covers may beattached thereto; it, of course, being understood that thecover does notprevent the use of the lug 18 to controlling compression of the device,as the lug projects part way through a slot in the cover.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binder comprising two casings having one side open for receivingthe ends of sheets to be bound, telescoping posts fixed to said casingsfor receiving the said sheets, a rod rotatably fixed toone side 01 oneof said casings and projecting transversely thereof, ratchet teethprojecting from one side of said rod; a pawl associated with the othercasing and adapted to co-act with said ratchet when said rod is rotatedto one position, and a tooth fixed to the outer end which it isassociated and into the other casing 1 2. A binder comprising twotelescoping casingshavlng one side open for receiving the ends of sheetsto be bound, telescoping.

posts fixed to said casings for receiving the said sheets a rodrotatably fixed to one side ofone of said casings and projecting trans-'versely thereof, ratchet teeth projecting from one side of said rod;apawl associated with the other casing and adapted to co-act with saidratchet when said rod is rotated to one position, a tooth fixed to theouter end of said rod and adapted to co-act with said pawl when said rodis rotated to another,

position; the said pawl having its co-acting end projecting away fromthe casing with which it is associated and into the. other cas-* ing,and thumb-operated means fixed to said rod and mounted outside of saidcasing for rotating said rod. v V

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand.

ERIK L; KRAG.

